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Union County starter Derek Williams pitches in the first inning of the Babe Ruth Baseball 15U Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament Thursday in The Dalles. (Mike Weber, For The Observer)

THE DALLES — The Union County 15U Babe Ruth All-Star baseball team had a successful debut in the 10-team Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament in The Dalles. The Northern Oregon state champion posted an opening-game, come-from-behind 7-2 win over Southern Oregon state champion Klamath Falls Wednesday at Quinton Street Ballpark.

Jace Schow applies a tag to a Baker County base runner during the Little League district tournament in La Grande July 7. La Grande defeated Mt. Angel Wednesday, 10-3, to win the state championship. (Observer file photo)

Best in state.

It’s a designation many hope to play for, but few get the chance to claim.

La Grande Swim Club’s Garren Dutto, 14, is one of four swimmers to qualify for the 2015 Arena Western Zone Senior Championships July 29 through Aug. 2 in Clovis, California. (Josh Benham, The Observer)

Each weekday morning the members of the La Grande Swim Club head down to the Veterans Memorial Swim Pool. Inevitably, there’s going to be days when the kids simply don’t want to get in the water, but all of them find the strength to push through.